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    Rick Stephens
    Jan 4, 2024, 21:02

    After leaving the game with an injury against Dallas, Montreal Canadiens forward Josh Anderson will be ready to play against the Buffalo Sabres.

    GAME DAY PREVIEW | Montreal Canadiens (16-16-5) vs Buffalo Sabres (15-19-4)

    GAME DAY: Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres.

    Game Preview

    Roster News

    To everyone's surprise, Josh Anderson was a full participant in the morning skate. Anderson will be in the lineup against the Sabres.

    Josh Anderson is the Molson Cup recipient for the month of December. Anderson will be recognized prior to tonight's game.

    The Canadiens announced that Christian Dvorak will miss rest of season with torn pectoral muscle. Dvorak will have surgery on Friday. He has not played since December 30th.

    As part of their rehabilitation program, Tanner Pearson and Rafael Harvey-Pinard have started skating.

    Jake Allen (4-7-2 / 3.40 GAA / .903 SV%) is the confirmed starter for Montreal.

    Last Game

    The Canadiens took advantage of shoddy Dallas goaltending to build a lead, then fended off a late surge by the Stars.

    Last game: MTL 4 vs DAL 3 | F

    Players to Watch

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    Matchup for Game 38, Home Game 19

    Bell Centre, Montreal, QC. | January 4, 7:00 PM ET | TV: TSN2, RDS, ESPN, MSG-B

    Pre-Game

    Josh Anderson

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    Juraj Slafkovsky

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    Projected Canadiens Lineup (subject to change)

    Forwards
    22 Cole Caufield - 14 Nick Suzuki - 20 Juraj Slafkovsky
    91 Sean Monahan - 71 Jake Evans - 17 Josh Anderson
    40 Joel Armia - 11 Brendan Gallagher
    55 Michael Pezzetta - 13 Mitchell Stephens - 56 Jesse Ylonen

    Defensemen
    8 Mike Matheson - 58 David Savard
    21 Kaiden Guhle - 52 Justin Barron
    47 Jayden Struble - 54 Jordan Harris
    26 Johnathan Kovacevic

    Goaltenders
    Starter: 34 Jake Allen (4-7-2 / 3.40 GAA / .903 SV%)
    Alternate: 35 Sam Montembeault

    Out of the lineup
    Scratches: Gustav Lindstrom, Cayden Primeau 
    Injuries: Carey Price (knee), Chris Wideman (back), Kirby Dach (knee), Rafael Harvey-Pinard (lower body), Alex Newhook (lower body), Tanner Pearson (upper body), Christian Dvorak (upper body)

    Visiting Bench

    The two teams have met twice this season with Montreal being victorious on both occasions. The Canadiens beat the Sabres 3-1 on October 23rd won 3-2 in a shootout on December 9th. Both games were played at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

    This will be the first game of the new year for the Buffalo Sabres. Their last match resulted in a 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on December 31st.

    The Sabres are 4-4-2 in their last 10 games against Montreal.

    As a Sabre, Jeff Skinner has 25 points in 15 games versus the Canadiens.

    Devon Levi (7-6-2 / 3.36 GAA / .887 SV%) is the confirmed starter for the Sabres.

    Game Expectations

    The Canadiens will play their next two homes games against teams from the Empire State; the Sabres tonight and the Rangers on Saturday night.

    Be sure to bookmark THN.com/Montreal for year-round coverage of the Montreal Canadiens, Laval Rocket, and Habs prospects playing in leagues around the world.

    Gretzky Signature Series.